Video playback method and apparatus

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a video playback method and apparatus, where the method includes: obtaining playback progress information of all sub-files in a video file, where the video file includes at least two sub-files; displaying a playback progress bar list, where the playback progress bar list includes playback progress bars of the at least two sub-files, and a playback progress bar of any sub-file displays playback progress of the any sub-file according to playback progress information of the any sub-file; receiving a user instruction used for selecting, according to the playback progress bars, a target sub-file that needs to be played, where the target sub-file is any sub-file of the at least two sub-files; and playing the target sub-file according to the instruction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of International Patent ApplicationNo. PCT/CN2016/083195, filed on May 24, 2016, which claims priority toChinese Patent Application No. 201510847800.1, filed on Nov. 27, 2015,The disclosures of the aforementioned applications are herebyincorporated by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present invention relate to video playbacktechnologies, and in particular, to a video playback method andapparatus.

BACKGROUND

With popularization of broadband network technologies, watching anetwork video has become an important entertainment manner in people'sdaily life. For example, when a user watches a video by using a networkdevice such as an intelligent personal television (IPTV), a personalcomputer, a mobile phone, or a tablet, if the user does not want towatch currently played video content, the user needs to select, byopening an episode-selecting interface of the video, a video that needsto be watched.

In the prior art, an episode-selecting interface of a video generallycan only display an episode list of the video. According to the episodelist on the episode-selecting interface, the user selects a video thatneeds to be watched. During playback, playback progress of a currentvideo is displayed at the bottom of a playback interface by using aplayback progress bar.

However, in a playback manner in the prior art, when wanting to watchanother video, the user cannot determine a watching status of theanother video, and may repeatedly open a watched video, which causesinconvenience in selecting an episode by the user.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a video playback method and apparatus, soas to resolve a prior-art problem of inconvenience in selecting anepisode by a user because a watching status of another video can hardlybe determined in a process of watching a video.

According to a first aspect, an embodiment of the present inventionprovides a video playback method, including:

-   -   obtaining playback progress information of all sub-files in a        video file, where the video file includes at least two        sub-files;    -   displaying a playback progress bar list, where the playback        progress bar list includes playback progress bars of the at        least two sub-files, and a playback progress bar of any sub-file        displays playback progress of the any sub-file according to        playback progress information corresponding to the any sub-file;    -   receiving a user instruction used for selecting, according to        the playback progress bars, a target sub-file that needs to be        played, where the target sub-file is a sub-file of the at least        two sub-files; and    -   playing the target sub-file according to the instruction.

In the video playback method provided in the embodiment of the presentinvention, a playback progress bar list of a sub-file is displayed on aplayback interface of a video file, and playback progress and status ofthe sub-file may be displayed intuitively. A user can accurately learncurrent watching statuses of all sub-files according to the playbackprogress bar list, so as to avoid repeatedly opening a file that doesnot need to be watched. This is convenient for the user to select anepisode.

Optionally, before the displaying a playback progress bar list, themethod further includes: determining a target playback progress bar listpattern from at least two preset playback progress bar list patternsaccording to a predetermined rule, and displaying the playback progressbar list according to the target playback progress bar list pattern,where the at least two playback progress bar list patterns havedifferent appearance display forms.

Optionally, the predetermined rule includes:

-   -   displaying a playback progress bar of a currently played        sub-file and a playback progress bar of a sub-file adjacent to        the currently played sub-file.

Optionally, the predetermined rule includes: displaying a playbackprogress bar of a currently played sub-file and a playback progress barof a next sub-file of the currently played sub-file.

Multiple alternative display forms of a playback progress bar list maybe provided for a user by presetting a playback progress bar listpattern. When a video file is played, a needed playback progress barlist pattern may be selected according to a current playbackrequirement.

Optionally, in the playback progress bar list, a playback progress barcorresponding to a sub-file that has been played has a first length, anda length of a playback progress bar corresponding to a not-played orpartially played sub-file is not equal to the first length.

Optionally, playback progress bars corresponding to not-played sub-filesor playback progress bars corresponding to partially played sub-fileshave a same second length.

Optionally, the playback progress bars in the playback progress bar listhave a same length. Specifically, playback progress of a correspondingsub-file is distinguished by means of a color of a playback progressbar.

Playback progress of the sub-files is identified by using playbackprogress bars of different lengths, so that display interface space maybe effectively used, and a watched sub-file and a not-watched sub-filemay be intuitively distinguished.

Optionally, the playback progress bar list further includes a posterimage of a sub-file corresponding to each playback progress bar.

Playback statuses and progress of all the sub-files are displayed in amanner of combining the playback progress bars of all the sub-files andcorresponding poster images, which is convenient for a user to learncorresponding plot content and playback progress of a sub-filecorresponding to each playback progress bar.

Optionally, before the obtaining playback progress information of allsub-files in a video file, the method further includes:

-   -   determining whether the currently played sub-file is played to a        file end stage; or    -   receiving a file playback switching instruction, where the file        playback switching instruction is used to instruct to switch a        currently played file.

Obtaining the playback progress information of all the sub-files in thevideo file is triggered by determining whether the currently playedsub-file is played to the file end stage or by receiving the fileplayback switching instruction, so that different manners of invokingthe playback progress bar list may be provided for a user, which isconvenient for the user to select a video that the user wants to watchin different cases.

Optionally, a playback progress bar of the currently played sub-fileincludes a progress sliding block, used to indicate a playback locationof the currently played sub-file; and

-   -   the receiving a user instruction used for selecting, according        to the playback progress bars, a target sub-file that needs to        be played includes:    -   receiving an instruction used for moving the progress sliding        block; and    -   moving, according to the instruction, the progress sliding block        to a playback progress bar corresponding to the target sub-file.

According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a videoplayback apparatus, including:

-   -   an obtaining module, configured to obtain playback progress        information of all sub-files in a video file;    -   a display module, configured to display a playback progress bar        list, where the playback progress bar list includes playback        progress bars of at least two sub-files, and a playback progress        bar of any sub-file displays playback progress of the any        sub-file according to playback progress information        corresponding to the any sub-file and obtained by the obtaining        module;    -   a receiving module, configured to receive a user instruction        used for selecting, according to the playback progress bars, a        target sub-file that needs to be played, where the target        sub-file is a sub-file of the at least two sub-files; and    -   a playing module, configured to play the target sub-file        according to the instruction received by the receiving module.

The video playback apparatus is configured to execute the technicalsolution of the method embodiment in the first aspect, and a specificimplementation principle and a beneficial effect of the video playbackapparatus are similar to those of the method embodiment.

Optionally, the apparatus further includes a determining module, wherethe determining module is configured to determine a target playbackprogress bar list pattern from at least two preset playback progress barlist patterns according to a predetermined rule; and the display moduleis configured to display the playback progress bar list according to thetarget playback progress bar list pattern, where the at least twoplayback progress bar list patterns have different appearance displayforms.

The receiving module is further configured to:

-   -   receive a file playback switching instruction, where the file        playback switching instruction is used to instruct to switch a        currently played file.

Optionally, the determining module is further configured to:

-   -   determine whether a currently played sub-file is played to a        file end stage; and if the currently played sub-file is played        to the file end stage, the obtaining module obtains the playback        progress information of all the sub-files in the video file; or        if the currently played sub-file is not played to the file end        stage, the playing module continues playing the currently played        sub-file.

Optionally, a playback progress bar of the currently played sub-file hasa progress sliding block, used to indicate a playback location of thecurrently played sub-file;

-   -   the receiving module is further configured to receive an        instruction used for moving the progress sliding block; and    -   the apparatus further includes a moving module, where the moving        module is configured to move, according to the instruction, the        progress sliding block to a playback progress bar corresponding        to the target sub-file.

According to a third aspect, an embodiment of the present inventionfurther provides a video playback apparatus, including a data interface,a memory, a processor, and a communications bus, where the datainterface, the memory, and processor are connected by using thecommunications bus;

-   -   the memory is configured to store a software program        instruction;    -   the processor is configured to execute the software program        instruction stored in the memory, so as to implement any one of        the foregoing video playback methods; and    -   the data interface is configured to obtain data or output data        under the control of the processor.

In the video playback method and apparatus provided in the embodimentsof the present invention, a playback progress bar list of a sub-file isdisplayed on a playback interface of a video file, and playback progressand status of the sub-file may be displayed intuitively. A user canaccurately learn current watching statuses of all sub-files according tothe playback progress bar list, so as to avoid repeatedly opening a filethat does not need to be watched.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

To describe technical solutions in embodiments of the present inventionmore clearly, the following briefly describes the accompanying drawings.The accompanying drawings in the following description show merely someembodiments of the present invention, and persons of ordinary skill inthe art may still derive other drawings from these accompanying drawingswithout creative efforts.

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a framework of a videoplayback system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of hardware of a video playbackapparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic flowchart of a video playback method according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 to FIG. 9 are schematic diagrams of a playback progress bar listpattern according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of a video playback apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a video playback apparatusaccording to another embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The following clearly describes technical solutions in embodiments ofthe present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. Thedescribed embodiments are merely some embodiments but not all of theembodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained bypersons of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of thepresent invention without creative efforts shall fall within theprotection scope of the present invention.

In the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of the presentinvention, the terms “first”, “second”, “third”, “fourth”, and so on (ifexistent) are intended to distinguish between similar objects but do notnecessarily indicate a specific order or sequence. It should beunderstood that the data termed in such a way are interchangeable inproper circumstances so that the embodiments of the present inventiondescribed herein can be implemented in orders except the orderillustrated or described herein. Moreover, the terms “include”,“contain” and any other variants mean to cover the non-exclusiveinclusion, for example, a process, method, system, product, or devicethat includes a list of steps or units is not necessarily limited tothose units, but may include other units not expressly listed orinherent to such a process, method, system, product, or device.

Embodiments of the present invention are used to display a playbackprogress bar list on a playback interface of a video file in a processof playing the video file, and display playback progress of acorresponding sub-file by using a playback progress bar in the playbackprogress bar list. According to the playback progress bar, a user mayintuitively select a sub-file that needs to be played, so that the usercan switch a to-be-played file according to a watching requirement.

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a framework of a videoplayback system according to an embodiment of the present invention.Referring to FIG. 1, the video playback system in the embodiment of thepresent invention includes a server 110, a network 120, a contentmanagement device 130, an output device 140, and an input device 150.

The server 110 may be a cloud data storage server or a common dataserver. The server 110 is configured to store data such as a video file,playback progress information of a video file, and a playback progressbar template list.

The content management device 130 may be specifically a set top box, anInternet television, a smart tablet, a smartphone, an application in asmart tablet or a smartphone, or the like, and is configured to receivea control instruction sent by the input device 150 and data in anetwork, process the data, and send processed data to the output device140.

The output device 140 may be specifically an image-forming device suchas a display or a television and/or an audio playback device, or thelike, and is configured to output the data processed by the contentmanagement device 130.

The input device 150 may be specifically a key controller, a touchscreencontroller, a mouse, or another input control device, and is configuredto input the control instruction to the content management device 130.

Specifically, the data stored in the server 110, such as a video file,playback progress information of a video file, and a playback progressbar template list, is transmitted to the content management device 130by using the network 120. A user sends a control instruction to thecontent management device 130 by using the input device 150. The contentmanagement device 130 processes data according to the controlinstruction sent by the input device 150, and then sends processed datato the output device 140 for display.

In another case, the data such as a video file, playback progressinformation of a video file, and a playback progress bar template listmay not be transmitted to the content management device 130 by using thenetwork, but be directly stored in the content management device 130.

FIG. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of the content managementdevice in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 2, the content management device 130may specifically include a data interface 210, a memory 220, a processor230, a transmitter 240, a receiver 250, and a communications bus 260.The data interface 210, the memory 220, the processor 230, thetransmitter 240, and the receiver 250 implement data communication byusing the communications bus 260.

The data interface 210 is configured to obtain data from the network120, and transmit the data to the memory 220 and the processor 230. Thedata may be data such as a video file, playback progress information ofa video file, and a playback progress bar template list, or may be otherdata needed according to a user requirement for video file playback.

The memory 220 is configured to store a program and/or a module forplaying a video file and partial data obtained by the data interface210, and is configured to provide the partial data for the processor 230for processing.

The processor 230 is a control center of the content management device,is connected to various parts of the content management device by usingvarious interfaces and lines, and executes various functions of thecontent management device and processes video file data by running orexecuting a software program and/or module stored in the memory 220 andinvoking data stored in the memory 220. The processor 230 may include anintegrated circuit (IC), for example, may include a single packaged IC,or may include multiple packaged ICs that are connected and have a samefunction or different functions. For example, the processor 230 mayinclude only a central processing unit (CPU), or may be a combination ofa graphics processing unit (GPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), anda control chip.

Specifically, the content management device 130 obtains the data such asa video file, playback progress information of a video file, and aplayback progress bar template list from the network 120 by using thedata interface 210, and transmits the data to the memory 220 and theprocessor 230. Specifically, the video file and the playback progressinformation of the video file are transmitted to the processor 230, andthe playback progress bar template list is transmitted to the memory220. The processor 230 processes video file data transmitted by the datainterface 210 according to an instruction received by the receiver 250,and sends, by using the transmitter 240, processed video file data tothe output device 140 for display.

In another case, the data such as a video file, playback progressinformation of a video file, and a playback progress bar template listmay be directly stored in the memory 220; and according to aninstruction received by the receiver 250, the processor 230 may directlyprocess video file data stored in the memory 220.

FIG. 3 is a schematic flowchart of a video playback method according toan embodiment of the present invention. The video playback method in theembodiment of the present invention may be implemented by using thecontent management device shown in FIG. 2 and a video playback systemarchitecture shown in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 3, the video playbackmethod in the embodiment of the present invention includes the followingsteps.

S301. A data interface obtains playback progress information of allsub-files in a video file, where the video file includes at least twosub-files.

In a process of playing all the sub-files, the playback progressinformation of all the sub-files may be uploaded to a cloud data storageserver or a common data server for storage, and be updated in real timeaccording to current playback progress of all the sub-files. The datainterface (for example, the data interface 210 in FIG. 2) may obtain theplayback progress information of all the sub-files from the data serverby using a network.

Specifically, in a process of playing a sub-file in the video file, thefollowing two specific implementation manners, but not limited to thefollowing two specific implementation manners, may be used to trigger astep in which the data interface obtains the playback progressinformation of all the sub-files in the video file.

In one implementation manner, a processor detects playback content of acurrently played sub-file to determine whether the currently playedsub-file is played to a file end stage. If the currently played sub-fileis played to the file end stage, the processor controls the datainterface to obtain the playback progress information of all thesub-files in the video file from the network. If the currently playedsub-file is not played to the file end stage, the currently playedsub-file continues to be played.

In the other implementation manner, in a watching process, a user sendsa file playback switching instruction by using an input device. The fileplayback switching instruction is used to instruct to switch a currentlyplayed file. A receiver receives the file playback switchinginstruction. Upon detecting the file playback switching instruction, theprocessor may trigger the data interface to obtain the playback progressinformation of all the sub-files in the video file from the network.

S302. An output device displays a playback progress bar list, where theplayback progress bar list includes playback progress bars of the atleast two sub-files, and a playback progress bar of any sub-filedisplays playback progress of the any sub-file according to playbackprogress information corresponding to the any sub-file.

After obtaining the playback progress information of all the sub-filesin the video file, the data interface transmits the playback progressinformation to the processor. The processor presents the playbackprogress information as playback progress bar list informationcorresponding to all the sub-files, and transmits the playback progressbar list information to the output device. The output device displaysthe playback progress bar list according to the playback progress barlist information. The playback progress bar list is displayed on a videoplayback interface of the output device. The playback progress bars ofthe at least two sub-files may be a playback progress bar of a currentlyplayed sub-file and a playback progress bar of another sub-file, or maybe playback progress bars of any two sub-files.

Specifically, multiple playback progress bar list patterns may begenerated according to various display forms of the playback progressbars in the playback progress bar list, and the multiple playbackprogress bar list patterns are pre-stored in a server or directly storedin a memory. The multiple playback progress bar list patterns havedifferent appearance display forms.

FIG. 4 to FIG. 9 are schematic diagrams of a playback progress bar listpattern according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referringto FIG. 4 to FIG. 9, for easy of intuitive indication of currentwatching statuses and progress of all the sub-files, a playback progressbar 410 in the playback progress bar list is displayed at the bottom ofa file playback interface 430. A progress sliding block 420 is displayedon the playback progress bar 410 corresponding to a currently playedsub-file. The playback progress bar 410 may be set to be in multipledisplay forms. For example, referring to FIG. 4, playback progress bars410 in the playback progress bar list may have a same length, and thecurrent watching statuses and progress of all the sub-files aredistinguished by using different colors. Alternatively, referring toFIG. 5, the current watching statuses and progress of all the sub-filesmay be distinguished according to lengths of the playback progress bars410, or the current watching statuses and progress of all the sub-filesare distinguished with reference to lengths of the playback progressbars 410 and colors. For example, in the playback progress bar list, aplayback progress bar 410 corresponding to a sub-file that has beenplayed has a first length. A length of a playback progress bar 410corresponding to a not-played or partially played sub-file is not equalto the first length; or playback progress bars 410 corresponding tonot-played sub-files or playback progress bars 410 corresponding topartially played sub-files have a same second length. A progress barcorresponding to a played part of the sub-file is displayed in gray, anda progress bar corresponding to a not-played part is displayed in acolor other than gray. It may be understood that a progress bar colorherein is an example, and constitutes no limitation on the presentinvention. In such a manner of distinguishing the current watchingstatuses and progress of all the sub-files with reference to the lengthsof the playback progress bars and the colors, display interface space ofthe output device may be effectively used, and a watched sub-file and anot-watched sub-file may be intuitively distinguished. Further, a lengthof a playback progress bar 410 corresponding to a not-played orpartially played sub-file may be greater than a length of a playbackprogress bar corresponding to a sub-file that has been played, which isconvenient for a user to more accurately view or adjust progress of thenot-played or partially played sub-file. Alternatively, referring toFIG. 6, the playback progress bar list may further include a posterimage 450 of a sub-file corresponding to each playback progress bar 410,and the poster image 450 may be located above or below eachcorresponding playback progress bar 410. Playback statuses and progressof all the sub-files are displayed in a manner of combining the playbackprogress bars of all the sub-files and corresponding poster images,which is convenient for the user to learn corresponding plot content andplayback progress of a sub-file corresponding to each playback progressbar. Specifically, the playback progress bars combined with posterimages may also be sorted in a form of a grid. Optionally, a quantity ofplayback progress bars in the playback progress bar list may also be setaccording to a user requirement.

The playback progress bar list pattern may be stored in the memory inadvance. Before the playback progress bar list is displayed, theprocessor determines, from preset playback progress bar list patterns, atarget playback progress bar list pattern that needs to be displayedcurrently, and displays the playback progress bar list according to thetarget playback progress bar list pattern.

Specifically, in an implementation manner, the user may invoke themultiple preset playback progress bar list patterns on a currentplayback interface of the video file by using the input device, andselect, from the multiple preset playback progress bar list patterns,the target playback progress bar list pattern that needs to be displayedcurrently. The processor may determine, from the stored playbackprogress bar list pattern according to a user selection instructionreceived by the receiver, the target playback progress bar list patternthat needs to be displayed currently, and display the playback progressbar list according to the target playback progress bar list pattern.

In another implementation manner, the processor may determine, accordingto a predetermined rule, the target playback progress bar list patternthat needs to be displayed currently.

Specifically, the predetermined rule includes: displaying a playbackprogress bar of a currently played sub-file and a playback progress barof a sub-file adjacent to the currently played sub-file. For example,referring to FIG. 7, a total quantity of the sub-files exceeds threeepisodes, and the sub-files are sorted according to an automaticplayback sequence of a system. If the currently played sub-file is notthe first episode or the last episode in the video file, athree-segmented playback progress bar list pattern may be determined asa playback progress bar list pattern that needs to be displayedcurrently. In the three-segmented playback progress bar list pattern,the playback progress bar of the currently played sub-file and playbackprogress bars of sub-files adjacent to the currently played sub-file maybe displayed. Referring to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, if the total quantity ofthe sub-files exceeds two episodes and the currently played sub-file isthe first episode or the last episode in the video file, a two-segmentedplayback progress bar list pattern may be determined as the playbackprogress bar list pattern that needs to be displayed currently. When thesub-file is the first episode, in the two-segmented playback progressbar list pattern, a playback progress bar of the first episode and aplayback progress bar of the second episode are displayed. When thesub-file is the last episode, in the two-segmented playback progress barlist pattern, a playback progress bar of the last episode and a playbackprogress bar of a sub-file adjacent to the last episode are displayed.

In another implementation manner, the predetermined rule may furtherinclude: displaying a playback progress bar of a currently playedsub-file and a playback progress bar of a next sub-file of the currentlyplayed sub-file.

S303. A receiver receives a user instruction used for selecting,according to the playback progress bars, a target sub-file that needs tobe played.

When a sub-file different from the currently played sub-file needs to beplayed, the user selects, according to display statuses of the playbackprogress bars, the target sub-file that needs to be played, and sends,to the receiver by using the input device, the instruction used forselecting the target sub-file that needs to be played. Specifically, theselection instruction may be sent by using a forward or backwardfunction button of the input device, or the selection instruction may besent by using the input device to directly enter an episode numbercorresponding to the target sub-file that needs to be played.

For example, in an implementation manner, the playback progress bar ofthe currently played sub-file may include a progress sliding block, usedto indicate a playback location of the currently played sub-file. Theuser may send, by using the input device to move the progress slidingblock, the instruction used for selecting the target sub-file that needsto be played. Specifically, the user sends, by using the input device(for example, pressing a forward or backward key of a remotecontroller), an instruction used for moving the progress sliding block.The receiver receives the instruction and transmits the instruction tothe processor, and the processor moves the progress sliding blockaccording to the instruction. The output device may play the sub-filewhen the progress sliding block is moved to a playback progress barcorresponding to the target sub-file selected by the user. Specifically,the processor may determine, according to a confirmation instructionsent by the input device, the target sub-file that needs to be played,or may directly determine, according to the instruction used for movingthe progress sliding block sent by the input device, the target sub-filethat needs to be played. When the progress sliding block is moved byusing the input device, after the receiver receives the instruction usedfor moving the progress sliding block, the processor determines watchingprogress of the target sub-file, and controls the progress sliding blockto move to an end location to which the target sub-file is played lasttime. If the target sub-file is never watched, the sliding block iscontrolled to move to a start location of the target sub-file. In thiscase, the user may be prompted whether to continue watching from an endlocation of last playback, and the user may perform confirmation byusing the input device.

S304. The output device plays the target sub-file according to theinstruction.

After receiving the user instruction used for selecting the targetsub-file that needs to be played, the receiver transmits the instructionto the processor. The processor invokes data of the target sub-fileaccording to the instruction, and transmits the data of the targetsub-file to the output device by using a transmitter. The output devicereplaces the currently played sub-file with the target sub-file andplays the target sub-file. The playback progress bar list disappears.

In the video playback method provided in the embodiment of the presentinvention, a playback progress bar list of a sub-file is displayed on aplayback interface of a video file, and playback progress and status ofthe sub-file may be displayed intuitively. A user can accurately learncurrent watching statuses of all sub-files according to the playbackprogress bar list, so as to avoid repeatedly opening a file that doesnot need to be watched.

An embodiment of the present invention further provides a video playbackapparatus. FIG. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of a video playbackapparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referringto FIG. 10, the video playback apparatus includes at least an obtainingmodule 910, a display module 920, a receiving module 930, and a playingmodule 940.

Specifically, the obtaining module 910 is configured to obtain playbackprogress information of all sub-files in a video file.

The display module 920 is configured to display a playback progress barlist, where the playback progress bar list includes playback progressbars of at least two sub-files, and a playback progress bar of anysub-file displays playback progress of the any sub-file according toplayback progress information corresponding to the any sub-file andobtained by the obtaining module.

The receiving module 930 is configured to receive a user instructionused for selecting, according to the playback progress bars, a targetsub-file that needs to be played.

The playing module 940 is configured to play the target sub-fileaccording to the instruction received by the receiving module.

Optionally, the apparatus further includes a determining module 950,configured to determine a target playback progress bar list pattern fromat least two preset playback progress bar list patterns according to apredetermined rule. The display module 920 is configured to display theplayback progress bar list according to the target playback progress barlist pattern. The at least two playback progress bar list patterns havedifferent appearance display forms.

Optionally, the determining module 950 is further configured todetermine whether a currently played sub-file is played to a file endstage; and if the currently played sub-file is played to the file endstage, the obtaining module 910 obtains the playback progressinformation of all the sub-files in the video file; or if the currentlyplayed sub-file is not played to the file end stage, the playing module940 continues playing the currently played sub-file.

Optionally, the receiving module 930 is further configured to receive afile playback switching instruction, where the file playback switchinginstruction is used to instruct to switch a currently played file.

Optionally, the obtaining module 910 is further configured to obtain asequential location of the currently played sub-file in the video file;and

-   -   the determining module 950 is further configured to determine,        according to the sequential location, a file playback progress        bar template that needs to be displayed currently.

Optionally, a playback progress bar of the currently played sub-file hasa progress sliding block, used to indicate a playback location of thecurrently played sub-file;

-   -   the receiving module 930 is further configured to receive an        instruction used for moving the progress sliding block; and    -   the apparatus further includes a moving module 960, where the        moving module 960 is configured to move, according to the        instruction, the progress sliding block to a playback progress        bar corresponding to the target sub-file.

It should be noted that the video playback apparatus provided in theembodiment of the present invention is presented in a combination formof function modules. The “module” may refer to an application-specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor that canexecute one or more software programs and a memory, a combined logiccircuit and/or another component that can provide the foregoingfunctions. As a specific example, a person skilled in the art mayunderstand that the display module 920 may be implemented by the outputdevice 140 in FIG. 1, such as a display. The playing module 940 may beimplemented by the output device 140 in FIG. 1, such as a display and anaudio playback device. The receiving module 930 may be implemented bythe receiver 250 in FIG. 2. The obtaining module 910, the determiningmodule 950, and the moving module 960 may be implemented by theprocessor 230 and the memory 220 in FIG. 2. Specifically, the processor230 runs a software program and/or module stored in the memory 220, andinvokes video playback data stored in the memory 220, so as to implementall functions of the obtaining module 910, the determining module 950,and the moving module 960, so that video file data is played.

Specifically, the video playback apparatus provided in the embodiment ofthe present invention is specifically configured to execute thetechnical solution provided in the foregoing method embodiment.Implementation principles and technical effects thereof are similar, andare not repeatedly described herein.

An embodiment of the present invention further provides another videoplayback apparatus. FIG. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a videoplayback apparatus according to another embodiment of the presentinvention. Referring to FIG. 11, the video playback apparatus includes:

-   -   a data interface 1110, a memory 1120, a processor 1130, and a        communications bus 1140. The data interface 1110, the memory        1120, and the processor 1130 are connected by using the        communications bus.

The memory 1120 is configured to store a software program instruction.

The processor 1130 is configured to execute the software programinstruction stored in the memory, so as to implement the video playbackmethod provided in the method embodiment.

The data interface 1110 is configured to obtain data or output dataunder the control of the processor 1130.

The video playback apparatus provided in the embodiment of the presentinvention is specifically configured to execute the technical solutionprovided in the foregoing method embodiment. Implementation principlesand technical effects thereof are similar, and are not repeatedlydescribed herein.

Persons of ordinary skill in the art may understand that all or some ofthe steps of the method embodiments may be implemented by a programinstructing relevant hardware. The program may be stored in acomputer-readable storage medium. When the program runs, the steps ofthe method embodiments are performed. The foregoing storage mediumincludes: any medium that can store program code, such as a read-onlymemory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or anoptical disc.

Finally, it should be noted that the foregoing embodiments are merelyintended for describing technical solutions of the present invention,but not for limiting the present invention. Although the presentinvention is described in detail with reference to the foregoingembodiments, persons of ordinary skill in the art should understand thatthey may still make modifications to the technical solutions describedin the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent replacements to some orall technical features thereof, without departing from the scope of thetechnical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.Additionally, statements made herein characterizing the invention referto an embodiment of the invention and not necessarily all embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A video playback method, wherein the methodcomprises: obtaining, by a video playback apparatus, playback progressinformation of all sub-files in a video file, wherein the video filecomprises at least two sub-files; displaying, by the video playbackapparatus, a playback progress bar list, wherein the playback progressbar list comprises playback progress bars of the at least two sub-files,and a playback progress bar of a respective sub-file displays playbackprogress of the respective sub-file according to playback progressinformation corresponding to the respective sub-file; receiving, by thevideo playback apparatus, a user instruction for selecting, according tothe playback progress bars, a target sub-file to be played, wherein thetarget sub-file is a sub-file of the at least two sub-files; andplaying, by the video playback apparatus, the target sub-file accordingto the user instruction; wherein in the playback progress bar list, aplayback progress bar corresponding to a sub-file that has been playedhas a first length, and a length of a playback progress barcorresponding to a not-played or partially played sub-file is not equalto the first length; wherein playback progress bars corresponding tonot-played sub-files or playback progress bars corresponding topartially played sub-files have a same second length.
 2. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein before displaying the playback progressbar list, the method further comprises: determining a target playbackprogress bar list pattern; and displaying the playback progress bar listaccording to the target playback progress bar list pattern.
 3. Themethod according to claim 2, wherein displaying the playback progressbar list according to the target playback progress bar list patternfurther comprises: displaying a playback progress bar of a currentlyplayed sub-file and a playback progress bar of a sub-file adjacent tothe currently played sub-file.
 4. The method according to claim 2,wherein displaying the playback progress bar list according to thetarget playback progress bar list pattern further comprises: displayinga playback progress bar of a currently played sub-file and a playbackprogress bar of a next sub-file of the currently played sub-file.
 5. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein the playback progress bar listfurther comprises poster images of respective sub-files corresponding toeach playback progress bar.
 6. The method according to claim 1, whereinbefore obtaining the playback progress information of all sub-files inthe video file, the method further comprises: receiving a file playbackswitching instruction to play a sub-file different from a currentlyplayed sub-file.
 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein beforeobtaining the playback progress information of all sub-files in thevideo file, the method further comprises: determining whether acurrently played sub-file is played to a file end stage; whereinobtaining the playback progress information of all sub-files in thevideo file is in response to determining that the currently playedsub-file is played to the file end stage.
 8. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the playback progress bar of a currently playedsub-file comprises a progress sliding block for indicating a playbacklocation of the currently played sub-file; and wherein receiving theuser instruction for selecting the target sub-file to be playedcomprises: receiving an instruction for moving the progress slidingblock; and moving, according to the instruction, the progress slidingblock to a playback progress bar corresponding to the target sub-file.9. A video playback apparatus, comprising a processor and anon-transitory computer-readable medium having processor-executableinstructions stored thereon, wherein the processor-executableinstructions, when executed by the processor, facilitate performance ofthe following: obtaining playback progress information of all sub-filesin a video file; displaying a playback progress bar list, wherein theplayback progress bar list comprises playback progress bars of at leasttwo sub-files, and a playback progress bar of a respective sub-filedisplays playback progress of the sub-file according to playbackprogress information corresponding to the respective sub-file; receivinga user instruction for selecting, according to the playback progressbars, a target sub-file to be played, wherein the target sub-file is asub-file of the at least two sub-files; and playing the target sub-fileaccording to the user instruction; wherein in the playback progress barlist, a playback progress bar corresponding to a sub-file that has beenplayed has a first length, and a length of a playback progress barcorresponding to a not-played or partially played sub-file is not equalto the first length; wherein playback progress bars corresponding tonot-played sub-files or playback progress bars corresponding topartially played sub-files have a same second length.
 10. The apparatusaccording to claim 9, wherein the processor-executable instructions,when executed, further facilitate: determining a target playbackprogress bar list pattern; and displaying the playback progress bar listaccording to the target playback progress bar list pattern.
 11. Theapparatus according to claim 9, wherein receiving the user instructionfurther comprises: receiving a file playback switching instruction toswitch a currently played file.
 12. The apparatus according to claim 9,wherein the processor-executable instructions, when executed, furtherfacilitate: determining whether a currently played sub-file is played toa file end stage; if the currently played sub-file is played to the fileend stage, obtaining the playback progress information of all sub-filesin the video file; and if the currently played sub-file is not played tothe file end stage, continuing to play the currently played sub-file.13. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein a playback progress barof a currently played sub-file has a progress sliding block forindicating a playback location of the currently played sub-file; whereinreceiving the user instruction for selecting the target sub-file to beplayed comprises: receiving an instruction for moving the progresssliding block; and moving, according to the instruction, the progresssliding block to a playback progress bar corresponding to the targetsub-file.